Published at 11:12, Thursday, 05 July 2012

SIR – It was interesting to read the response by the director of service for Copeland Borough Council, Pat Graham (a paid council adviser), to my letter (The Whitehaven News, June 28) referring to changes to bins collections in order generate further savings.SIR – I recently wrote in The Whitehaven News about motorcyclists passing through Bigrigg village where I live.

It was pleasing to read that the council is “actively considering” working together with other Cumbrian authorities and conducting a “root and branch” review of all services for council customer needs at what the council can afford, and not about self-preservation.

I’m sure readers will be pleased at these comments and that will hope to read about the outcome from these reviews in future issues of The Whitehaven News.

Readers may be interested in the following figures: Cumbria has a population of around 500,000 and has seven authorities delivering services on behalf of the public. Under this structure there are seven council leaders and seven senior management structures (directors and heads of services).

In addition, Cumbria has 275 elected district councillors and 84 county councillors (one councillor per 1,392 population).

By contrast County Durham, which has a similar population number (and similar issues), abolished its seven authorities and became a single authority. As such it has one leader and management structure, and a total of 126 councillors (one councillor per 3,968 population).

Name and address supplied

SIR – The recent news of the sudden demise of our Whitehaven printer we received with great sadness.

Printexpress was appointed to print the quarterly Journal of The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Preservation Society in 1997, and had in May completed its 60th issue for us.

The company was excellent to deal with, and met every recent publication date, even when that entailed catching up on a delay incurred earlier in the editorial stages.

I certainly felt that our contacts at Printexpress were very much a part of the big Ratty family. The thoughts of us at The R&ER Magazine are with that company’s staff at this unpleasant time for them.

John E. SEARLE

Editor

The R&ER Magazine

HI – This flaming weather might be dismal in Whitehaven but, believe it or not, in South Australia we’re having exactly the same weather.

As a Whitehaven expat I was reading your article “Forget the rain....” about the Olympic torch relay and I thought there is a time to reminisce, as I’m sitting here in my South Australian home, where it’s been raining for the past week, thinking what lovely Whitehaven weather we’re having.

It’s our winter now, but rain isn’t usually a predominant factor until September, so at this time we can be seen to be so alike. We’ve just had a freak tornado which demolished a street of homes, garages and caravans. Where did this come from? Out of the blue for this time of year. But the emergency services were there to give their support.

At the same time I’m thinking of my son and grandson who have disabilities that are supported by community and social services – how lucky we are. In my mind this is equal to the similar welcome that Whitehaven gave to James Simpson – support and help.

The miles are many that part us, but I am always aware of how close we are in the Northern spirit.

So why did some national journalists patronise West Cumbria regarding the torch relay? I think it’s fantastic that the ‘sticks’ are important and I bet your bottom dollar that London-based journalists would do anything to be up in the North.

Regards to all!

Janice CLARK

South Australia

I was informed yesterday by my daughter on my return from work that there had been an accident involving a car and a motorbike near the junction adjacent to The Captains House.

I don’t know which vehicle was at fault.

In my previous letter I did point out that it would only be a matter of time before there were accidents along the stretch of road between the hospital round about and The Blacksmiths restaurant at the end of our village, involving motorcyclists. And I still continue to witness on a daily basis on this stretch of road and others some motorcyclists travelling at dangerously high speeds and performing careless manoeuvres, in and out of cars travelling in the same direction, on non-overtaking areas.

It’s obvious that these motorcyclists have little regard for their own life and give no thought for oncoming traffic and the lives of other road users. I stress that it is not all motorcyclist that are at fault, but enough to warrant cause for concern.

I sincerely hope no-one was seriously injured.

I reiterate what I said in my previous letter, that it was only a matter of time before there were accidents involving motorcyclists along this stretch of road.

It is one of the busiest and most congested roads in Copeland due to the heavy volume of traffic passing back and forward through the village, whether they are on their way to work, weekend travellers or local residents. But for whatever reason some motorcyclists appear to be the ones who are carrying out these careless manoeuvres.

If you’re a motorcyclist reading this, ask yourself: are you one of the motorcyclists I’m describing? If so, just pause for one moment and think – would you rather be a safe driver or a sorry driver? Sorry is usually not enough when lives are at stake.

I also ask other readers to stop and think – do you agree with my comments? Have you witnessed incidents involving motorcyclists manoeuvring dangerously in and out of cars, or been involved in a near miss? If so, please air your views through The Whitehaven News in support of my concern,

I must point out that after my original letter was published, I did see police vehicles along this stretch of road, but only on a couple of occasions. Surely they could have some sort of system in place to monitor the volume of traffic passing through the village, particularly motorcyclists? Surely the police must have witnessed some illegal overtaking by motorcyclist during their stationing along this stretch of road?

Christopher SPEDDING

Cain Street, Bigrigg

SIR – I’ve learned a bit more about the new Egremont library since my last letter (The Whitehaven News, June 7), and would appreciate some explanations of the following points:

All new public buildings are supposed to be disabled/old people friendly, they need to drive or be driven to the door. So easily accomplished with a little thought and due alteration.

I understand that the library service gave £500,000 towards the cost of the new library/school. Where was it spent?

The new school, with its useless prow-shaped front, could not have been built without the library moving out of the well-loved sandstone building, which used to be Egremont Girls’ school. How could the new library be such a cramped cowshed structure for such a lot of money?

Which part of the well appointed school benefited from the obvious underspend at the library? Why?

With all the mismanagement and monies wasted in all departments of Cumbria Count Council surely a second class stamp letting people (foolishly) think that their opinions and worries are of concern to the powers that be. Is this not too much to ask for, even in this day and age?

Mrs Mavis GASKELL

Bank Lane, Egremont

COUN Gary Strong, Cumbria County Council Cabinet Member for Local Services, replies: In response to Mrs Gaskell’s letter, I am pleased to report that constructive discussions are taking place aimed at finding a better solution to the issue of disabled parking.

It may be helpful to point out to your readers and to the users of Egremont Library that although the new library opened its doors to the public a month or so ago, building work on the Academy site is continuing and is not likely to be completed before the end of the year. The building work has a direct effect on vehicular access for many users of the site, with limited parking currently available.

This situation will change over the coming months and more parking will become available.

Mrs Gaskell is correct when referring to the £500,000 budget allocated by Cumbria County Council for the new library. That budget provided for the construction cost of the library element of the new building, internal finishes, service installations and library fittings and equipment. It is worth bearing in mind that the development of the Academy itself will have cost in excess of £26million. The county council’s funding for the library was spent solely on that element.

I’m sorry to hear that Mrs Gaskell is not impressed by the new library facilities but we have already received many compliments from our users who think the modern library is something (together with the Academy) that the residents of Egremont can be proud of. Certainly at a time when many other local authorities across the country are cutting back on their library services, I believe Cumbria County Council’s investment in a new library for Egremont provides tangible proof of its commitment to the library service and its users.

I regret any inconvenience that our disabled users, including Mrs Gaskell, are experiencing at Egremont but I can assure all of them that we are working hard to resolve the issue and I am confident that we can achieve a mutually acceptable outcome in the near future.

SIR – When the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives formed a coalition government, I thought the country was going to see the sign of the second coming. Alas not: it was the beginning of the Hooray Henrys and Hello Sir Humphrey Brigade.

Governments do not like the word U-turn, though this one has done more than a boomerang. Hospital units are closing, nurses are becoming redundant, the police force and now our armed forces are having to be slimmed down. Why? Because the country is in a double dip recession, though £41 billion and more is being asked for our fees to the European Union.

When are those who were elected going to tell the person with the shovel digging the big hole, to throw it down and jump out. Many of us do not want to be “all in it together”.

A referendum on the European Union is not a sideline issue, it is crucial to the public and must happen. The voices of dissent are growing louder.

Name and address withheld

SIR – Well done to Mr Barwise and sons – finally they are trying to get the Three Tuns in Whitehaven back to its former glory.

Once a warehouse then taken over by the Tubmans, window boxes adorned the facade, and red geraniums in particular looked stunning on the white and black exterior. The interior drew solicitors, teachers and artists, the latter of all descriptions, and the bikers – the sight of motorbikes all along the road and taking all the forecourt of the town hall was a sight to behold.

Many will remember Ozzy Osborne asking for a pint of bourbon at the Three Tuns – , unfortunately he had to make do with a pint of Bells whisky.

Many of us have had the privilege of knowing hospitality, friendship and occasionally the next day apology for being banned out the night before.

The Tree Tuns will always be known affectionately as Mildred and Harry’s. Wish they were here.

Milly MAC

Harbourside, Whitehaven

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk